Football focus

Friday 27 February 2004 00:00 BST

Arsenal v Charlton

3pm tomorrow, Highbury

Tickets: Sold out Last season: 2 (Jeffers, Pires) 0. Referee: Graham Barber (Herts) Facts: Edu, who prior to this season had scored six goals in two and a half campaigns at Highbury, has now scored four in five games and seven so far this season Standout bet: Arsenal to win by two goals: 100-30 (Paddy Power)

Arsene Wenger has good reason to look more smug than Peter Andre's record company boss. Not only has his board successfully navigated the financial jungle of raising cash for Ashburton Grove, but his players are pulling up trees on the pitch. Charlton still resemble the Spice Girls without Geri Halliwell and Scott Parker will be missed again tomorrow.

Verdict: WENGER'S KING OF THE JUNGLE

Blackburn v So'ton

3pm tomorrow, Ewood Park

Last season: 1 (Thompson) 0. Referee: Steve Dunn (Gloucs) Facts: Southampton have gone four games without a win and haven't scored at Ewood Park since 1998. Blackburn have gone five games since a home win Standout bet: Blackburn to win from behind: 7-1 (Bet365)

Ewood Park is the most hospitable place in the Premiership. Visitors tend to revel in the rolling hills of rural Lancashire and regularly return home with a gift of three points. Seven of Blackburn's 12 home games have ended in defeat although their prospects look brighter against rudderless Southampton.

Verdict: HOME COMFORT FOR ROVERS

Everton v Aston Villa

3pm tomorrow, Goodison Park

Last season: 2 (Campbell, Rooney) 1 (Allback). Referee: Matt Messias (South Yorks) Facts: Everton haven't won a Premiership game this year and have conceded 10 goals in their past three fixtures. Villa have gone five league matches without defeat Standout bet: Wayne Rooney to score the first goal: 6-1 (Bet365, William Hill)

Showing remarkable insight into European football finance, David Moyes has declared only Chelsea and Real Madrid can afford to buy Wayne Rooney. But his theory could be put to the test sooner than expected if the Everton slide continues. Their first Premiership win of the year is not likely to come against in-form Villa.

Verdict: EVERTON ON THE WANE

Fulham v Man United

3pm tomorrow, Loftus Road

Tickets: Sold out Last season: 1 (Marlet) 1 (Solskjaer). Referee: Alan Wiley (Staffs) Facts: Fulham, who have lost just four of the 18 games in which Alain Goma has played this season, haven't recorded a home victory over United since 1964 Standout bet: Draw (half-time); draw (full-time): 5-1 (Stan James, Hills, Tote)

King Louis returns to Loftus Road desperate to guillotine his former team-mates. Saha's arrival at Old Trafford has not heralded the French revolution United fans were hoping for and a disastrous run means there is little equality (or fraternity) with Arsenal in the title race. If Brian McBride and Luis Boa Morte can storm their back four tomorrow, Fulham can celebrate another coup.

Verdict: LET FERGIE EAT LOSER'S CAKE

3pm tomorrow, Walkers Stadium

Last season: 1 (Dickov) 0. Referee: Jeff Winter (Cleveland) Facts: Wolves, who have not won in 15 away games, last won at Leicester in 1971. Micky Adams' side have gone 14 without a win Standout bet: Score draw: 7-2 (Paddy Power)

This game has the feeling of one of those dead rubbers pointlessly contested by Davis Cup tennis players. Both clubs are sinking out of the Premiership, it's just a question of how long they stay afloat. Leicester concede goals for fun, though Wolves have so many clowns in attack they may struggle to take advantage.

Verdict: DEUCE IN THE MIDLANDS

Man City v Chelsea

3pm tomorrow, City of Manchester Stadium

Tickets: Sold out Last season: 0-3 (Zola 2, Hasselbaink). Referee: Rob Styles (Hants) Facts: Kevin Keegan's side have drawn seven home matches in a row. Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 11 games against Manchester City Standout bet: Man City overpriced: 19-5 (Bet Direct)

The good news for Claudio Ranieri is that his team are not playing Arsenal this week, the better news is that they meet City. After the Mancunians' first Premiership win since November at Bolton last week, Kevin Keegan said: "Robbie Fowler is world class in my book." Focus assumes he is reading 'Alice In Wonderland'.

Verdict: CHESHIRE CAT GRIN FOR CLAUDIO

Leeds v Liverpool

Noon Sunday, Elland Road - live pay-per-view game

Last season: 0-1 (Diao). Referee: Paul Durkin (Dorset) Facts: Liverpool have lost just one of their past six games at Elland Road and haven't conceded there since a 4-3 defeat in 2000 Standout bet: Home win for Leeds: 5-2 (William Hill)

Gerard Houllier was grinning like a Cheshire cat after the 2-0 win over Levski Sofia following a week when seemingly everyone in the city from Ian St John to Harry Enfield's

Scousers were calling for his head to be displayed on the Bill Shankly Gates. Leeds have endured an even more disastrous season but caretaker Eddie Gray remains popular with the fans, largely because of memories of his amusing hairstyle during the 1970s. Gray's side appear doomed but after beating Wolves and a morale-boosting draw at Old Trafford they can make Houllier miserable again.

Verdict: HOULLIER SPIKED

Portsmouth v Newcastle

Referee: Andy D'Urso (Essex) Facts: Newcastle have drawn their last six Premiership away games. Pompey striker Yakubu has not scored for six games Standout bet: Portsmouth home win: 23-10 (P Power, Victor Chandler)

Portsmouth's injury list may be longer than the queue for an NHS dentist in Scarborough, but Harry Redknapp's team are coping well. With Wolves, Leicester and Leeds looking certs for the drop, the Cup defeat of Liverpool can act as a catalyst for the Stay Up Pompey campaign and after yesterday's UEFA Cup draw in Norway, Newcastle will not be relishing another long-distance trek this week - although it's a fair bet that Alan Shearer won't start this one on the bench.

Verdict: POMPEY PARTY

Bolton v Middlesbrough

2pm Sunday, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff - live on Sky Sports 1

Referee: Mike Riley (West Yorkshire) Facts: No Middlesbrough player has netted more than once in their Carling Cup run and they have scored just seven goals in reaching the final (including an own goal by Arsenal's Jose Reyes). Bolton have scored 14 times with Jay-Jay Okocha and Mario Jardel scoring three each Standout bet: Jay-Jay Okocha to be named man of the match: 7-1 (Stan James)

The League Cup regained some credibility last season with Liverpool's victory over Manchester United but this is the final nobody wanted. Even if the game goes to extra time and penalties, the National Grid is unlikely to crash as the nation reaches for their kettles. The good people of Bolton and Middlesbrough are not complaining, though, and both sets of fans have cause to be optimistic. Boro have deservedly beaten both Arsenal and Manchester United in the last few weeks but have not won a trophy in their entire history, while Bolton will be buoyed by the return of Jay-Jay Okocha (above) from the African Nations Cup.